CVE-2022-29451 in One Click Demo Import Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/29/2022
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) leading to Arbitrary File Upload vulnerability in Rara One Click Demo Import plugin
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2022
The CVE-2022-29451 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the Rara One Click Demo Import WordPress plugin that demonstrates how cross-site request forgery can be exploited to achieve arbitrary file upload capabilities. This vulnerability exists within the plugin's handling of user requests and lacks proper authentication mechanisms for file upload operations, creating a dangerous attack vector that could allow malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. The flaw specifically affects versions of the plugin prior to 1.4.5 and exposes WordPress installations to significant risk due to the combination of CSRF and file upload vulnerabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and authentication checks within the plugin's file upload endpoint. When a user performs an action that triggers file upload functionality, the plugin fails to properly verify the authenticity of the request origin or validate that the request comes from an authorized user. This weakness allows attackers to craft malicious requests that appear legitimate to the WordPress installation, bypassing standard security controls. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires minimal privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous for widespread deployment. The CSRF protection mechanisms that should normally prevent unauthorized actions are either missing or improperly implemented, leaving the file upload functionality accessible to unauthorized parties.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-29451 extends far beyond simple data compromise, as it enables full system compromise through arbitrary file upload capabilities. Attackers can upload malicious files such as web shells, PHP scripts, or other executable content that can then be executed on the target server. This creates a persistent backdoor for attackers to maintain access, exfiltrate data, or perform additional malicious activities. The vulnerability affects WordPress installations that have the vulnerable plugin installed and active, potentially impacting thousands of websites across various industries. The severity is amplified by the fact that many WordPress sites lack proper security monitoring and patch management processes, allowing attackers to exploit this vulnerability for extended periods without detection.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2022-29451. The primary recommendation involves immediate patching of the vulnerable plugin to version 1.4.5 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and authentication controls at the web application level, ensuring that all file upload operations require proper verification of user credentials and request origins. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious upload attempts, while regular security audits should verify that no unauthorized files have been uploaded to affected systems. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery, and represents a common pattern in web application security that can be mitigated through proper implementation of anti-CSRF tokens and request validation mechanisms. Additionally, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1505.003 for Server Software Component, as it exploits weaknesses in web application components to achieve unauthorized file operations.